Q: Oil and gas prices in Canada remain deeply depressed relative to US prices. What’s the timetable on closing that gap? How critical is that to the prospects of Canadian oil and gas companies?

A: Discounted Canadian prices for oil and natural gas are generally the result of insufficient takeaway capacity, which is most effectively dealt with by building new pipeline capacity. For nearly a decade, there have been three major projects in various stages of development to bring oil out of Alberta. Each has been delayed well beyond initial projected startup dates but developers are still pushing them.

TC Energy Corp (TSX: TRP, NYSE: TRP), formerly TransCanada, continues to enjoy the support of both the Trudeau government in Canada and the Trump Administration for its Keystone XL pipeline. The project faces a critical decision this summer from the Nebraska Supreme Court, which is reviewing a challenge to the route by affected landowners.